The essential for any audiophile. Hand built by the masters who set the standard for audio quality, The Reference has been the benchmark for loudspeakers and sound reproduction. The Reference is an embodiment of KEF’s philosophy and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Now with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™).

SHOP KEF THE REFERENCE

HiFi Speakers

Reference 5 Meta

Reference 3 Meta

Reference 1 Meta

Centre Channel Speakers

Reference 4 Meta

Reference 2 Meta

Subwoofers & Architectural Speakers

Reference 8b Subwoofer

Ci5160REFM-THX

Ci3160REFM-THX

The benchmark of benchmarks

Since 1973, The Reference has continually set the benchmark for loudspeakers and sound reproduction. Pioneering the use of digital technologies to achieve the highest audio accuracy, every pair can be matched within 0.5dB to the laboratory-maintained reference standard.

Always innovating

Since the first Reference speaker, KEF engineers have continuously pushed the boundaries to discover what is possible with The Reference. Ground-breaking in its first incarnation, each subsequent iteration of The Reference has added to the world’s knowledge of the science of acoustics.

So pure. So KEF.

Sit anywhere, hear every detail

Total attention to detail

Every speaker in The Reference range exudes the sense of sheer quality that comes from being hand-built by KEF’s master craftsmen in Maidstone, Kent, UK. They are designed to be acoustically exceptional, attractive to look at, and each speaker is meticulously built to KEF’s exceptional standards.

Reference quality bass

Engineered to be flexible

The smallest details, revealed

Computer-modelled cabinet

Designed, engineered, handcrafted in Maidstone, UK

Since 1961, we have been creating remarkable award-winning loudspeakers at our UK home in Maidstone, Kent. As our high-end speakers, The Reference is still designed, engineered, and hand-built in Maidstone today.

Finished to Perfection

The expertly engineered cabinets are finished in a sumptuous high-gloss or richly detailed, pair-matched wood veneer to complement the strikingly distinctive front baffle. Five finishes are available, a combination of three cabinet finishes and five drive unit colours: Satin Walnut/Silver, High-Gloss Black/Copper, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss White/Blue, and High-Gloss White/Champagne.